SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Jennifer Johnson hit a walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the ninth of game two to earn Southwest Minnesota State a split with the University of Sioux Falls in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference opening doubleheader on Wednesday.

SMSU (8-6) fell 9-0 in six innings in game one before rebounding in game two with a 4-3 win in nine innings.The 9-0 loss in game one snapped SMSU's six-game winning streak.

The loss in game one was SMSU's first in NSIC play this season and first since March 10. The Mustangs only managed four hits throughout the game, getting hits from Katelyn Kalkman, Shelbie Stoll, Amy Dreessen and Kaley Scearcy. Kalkman went 1 for 3 and extended her hitting streak to a career-high nine games.

Rachel Groff (2-1) suffered the loss as she started the game but only pitched 1.1 innings and gave up six earned runs on nine hits, while walking two.

In game two, Rachel Hoeppner (6-5) pitched a complete game victory, scattering eight hits over nine innings, while allowing three earned runs and striking out four.

SMSU would pounce first, scoring two runs in the bottom half of the first to take a 2-1 lead after USF pushed across a single run in the top half. USF tied the game in the second and took a brief 3-2 lead in the third before SMSU tied it in its half of the third. The two teams would remain scoreless over the next five and a half innings before Jennifer Johnson hit a walk-off single to give the Mustangs their first NSIC victory of the season.

The Mustangs got things going in the bottom of the ninth with a Shelbie Stoll walk that was followed by an Amy Dreessen walk that put Stoll in scoring position. After a fielder's choice and another single, Jennifer Johnson punched a single through the middle to end the game and put SMSU in the win column.

Kailey Hanson led the way with four hits, as she went 4 for 5 with two RBI. Amy Dreessen went 2 for 3 with a RBI, while Katelyn Kalkman extended her hitting streak to 10 games with her bunt single in the first inning.

The games were originally scheduled as a home doubleheader for the Mustangs that was supposed to be played at the Regional Event Center, but due to poor conditions in Marshall, Minn., the games were played at Bob Young Field in Sioux Falls.

The Mustangs will travel to Bismarck, N.D. this weekend to take on the University of Mary at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Friday before playing Minot State at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday.